MFE 2012 Comes to a Successful End

The three-day event, Macao Franchise Expo 2012 (MFE 2012) came to a successful end at 6PM today. Up till the closing time, the overall turnout was significantly high, up to 13,000. A total of 1,346 business matching sessions have been achieved, which resulted in the signing of 25 cooperation protocols.

In her closing speech, Echo Chan, Acting President of Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute, concluded that, along with the enhanced internationalization of the MFE 2012, it will gradually demonstrate Macao’s important role as a regional platform in chain and franchise business. With the ever-increasing number of premium booths and professional visitors, high professionalism of the event is reflected. It has also become a career platform for young talents due to the rise in number of young participants.

According to Kevin Bi, Director General of the Association of Advertising Agents of Macao, who presented the statistics collected over the three days, a total of 1,346 on-site business matching were carried out over the period, (1,196 last year), a rise of nearly 13 % year-on-year, of which 96% was specially arranged for SMEs and business beginners. A 19% increase year-on-year has contributed to the on-site signing of 25 cooperation protocols, (21 last year), including seven agreements on catering franchise, seven on branded chain store, seven on brand sales agency, one on branding promotion and three collaborative agreements, through the negotiation center arranged by the Organizer (not counting on-site direct negotiation).

In addition, Yu Cheng Lung, Consultant of Association of Chain and Franchise Promotion, Taiwan (ACFPT), Wilson Lee, Chairman of Licensing & Franchising Association of Hong Kong, Ivan Lei, Vice Director General of Macao Chain Stores and Franchise Association, Edison Choong Wan Sern, Trade Commissioner of Consulate General of Malaysia, Kunio Otsuyama, CEO of Ad Venture Co. Ltd (Japan) and Kevin Bi, Director General of Association of Advertising Agents of Macao shared their insight and opinions concerning the development of chain and franchise business in the press briefing and appreciate the fruitful outcomes of the event.

Professional level of the event has also been enhanced at 25% reflected on the number of professional trade visitor year-on-year. Given that Macao has been acting as a portal to attract international brands and chain store operators, MFE 2012 showcased a substantial number of branded products and services both from home and abroad to strengthen exchange and collaboration. According to the figures and number of participants collected by the organizer, the event this year has achieved the desired outcomes and offered a lively ambience at the venue.

According to the preliminary data collected from a survey conducted on the first two days of the event, among all visitors, 18-30 year olds (52.7%) and 31-45 year olds (32.5 %) dominated the age group. This indicates that the MFE has met its objective of creating a platform for potential young entrepreneurs to start their own business. Most of the exhibitors were highly satisfied (89.3%) and appreciate the Organizers for the overall arrangement. They also expressed their interest in returning for the event next year.

The event has gradually served as a business platform to foster a broader spectrum of business opportunities for young business beginners and enterprises to explore the marketing prospect of the industry. Building upon the fruitful results and previous experiences, in line with the modest diversified economic development and the tourism retail industry, this event continues to promote local branded products on an international scale and attract more international brands to invest in Macao.

MFE 20I2 was organized by Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM), Brazilian Franchise Association (ABF), Association of Chain and Franchise Promotion, Taiwan (ACFPT), Macao International Brand Enterprise Commercial Association (MIBA), Macao Chain Stores and Franchise Association (MCFA) and Licensing and Franchising Association of Hong Kong (LFA), supported by China Chain Store & Franchise Association (CCFA), International Franchise Association (IFA) and Japan Franchise Association (JFA), co-organized by Korea Franchise Association, Malaysian Retailer-Chains Association, Philippine Franchise Association and Thailand Franchise Association, and coordinated by Association of Advertising Agents of Macao. The slogan this year was "Brand Expansion Continues, Business Opportunities to be seized".

"Macao Franchise Expo 2013" (MFE 2013), is tentatively scheduled from July 12 to 14 next year and will continue to actively promote the franchising business, and collaborate with business communities both at home and abroad to create more prospective business opportunities.

Source : Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute